In the first round, the DLSU Green Archers were heavily criticized for their lack of composure in the final minutes of the game. Yet, the second round has proved to be the complete opposite, as the Green Archers have been the more composed team in the clutch against their past few opponents, and today’s game was no exception.
With 14 seconds left in the fourth quarter, DLSU was staring at a one point deficit but they had possession of the ball. A broken play ensued yet Jason Perkins, whose stellar play as of late has led La Salle during their winning streak, hit a tough jumper from the free throw line that gave DLSU the lead.
A foul from Norbert Torres on the next possession with just five seconds left to play gave Roi Sumang a chance to steal the game, yet he split the free throws and the game went into overtime with the score tied at 56.
From there, it was all La Salle. The Green Archers went on a 10-3 run to open the five extra minutes and they never looked back as they came from behind to beat UE, 75-65. The team made all six of their field goals, including two three pointers, in the extra period while the Red Warriors made just 33.3 percent of theirs. It was the fifth straight win for the Green Archers who now share second place in the standings with FEU.
Perkins does it again
Perkins led the Green Archers once again and continued his exemplary play in the second round with 22 points and nine rebounds. Jeron Teng scored 13 points in the fourth quarter and overtime combined, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Almond Vosotros had 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Despite shooting just 57.9 percent from the free throw line compared to UE’s clip of 65.2 percent, the Green Archers managed to make up for it with their field goal shooting. The team made 43.1 percent of their shots from the field compared to 32.9 percent for the Red Warriors.
On the other hand, Roi Sumang led the charge for UE with 17 points, three rebounds and three assists, and John Noble also had 17 points. After his suspension was lifted with less than an hour before the game, Charles Mammie was a force inside the shaded lane as he finished with 11 points and 20 rebounds, but he was a non-factor late in the game as he was saddled by foul trouble.
The Red Warriors actually led by as much as 10 points in the second quarter, even leading by nine to begin the second half, but a composed Green Archers squad managed to slowly inch closer and they took the lead for the first time in the second half after Perkins’ jumper with 14 seconds left to play.
Battle for the top
The win gives the Green Archers a share of second place in the standings at eight wins and four losses together with FEU. Up next for DLSU are the league-leading NU Bulldogs on September 8, Sunday, at 4 pm and a win will tie the two teams at first place.
Bobby Ray Parks, Jean Mbe and the rest of the Bulldogs will prove to be the toughest challenge so far in the second round for the Green-and-White. NU is seeking their seventh straight win against DLSU while La Salle enters with a five game winning streak.
With the way head coach Juno Sauler has developed this team into a composed and disciplined unit, a victory against the Green Archers will be tough to come by, but the rising Bulldogs are riding high on confidence thanks to their winning streak, capped of by their recent win over the UP Fighting Maroons. As the two hottest teams in the league battle it out this weekend, expect them to leave it all out on the court as only one team can walk away with their winning streak intact.
The scores:
DLSU 75: Perkins 22, Teng 17, Vosotros 16, Van Opstal 9, T. Torres 6, Revilla 3, N. Torres 2, Salem 0, Reyes 0, Montalbo 0, Dela Paz 0
UE 65: Sumang 17, Noble 17, Jumao-as 13, Mammie 11, Sumido 2, Javier 2, Casajeros 2, Alberto 1, Olayon 0, Santos 0, Pujante 0, Hernandez 0, Guion 0, Flores 0
Quarter scores: 14-21, 30-35, 41-45, 56-56, 75-65
